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Anti-corruption rally ends with burning of placard in KK
The burning of a caricature of the Prime Minister during the anti-corruption rally at Lintasan Deasoka on Sunday morning
KOTA KINABALU (June 22): The two-day Gempur Rasuah 2.0 rally, organized by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students, concluded controversially on Sunday when protesters burned a large placard, featuring a caricature of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, at Lintasan Deasoka near Gaya Street on Sunday morning.
The banner also carried the phrase 'Madani Protector of Sabah Corruption'.
Suara Mahasiswa UMS president Muhamad Fadhil Muhamad Kasim said the symbolic burning of a caricature of the Prime Minister was done in an orderly and safe manner.
In a statement on Sunday, he said the secretariat had ensured an appropriate radius between the position of the symbolic burning and the audience who witnessed the historic moment.
After the burning, he said they cleaned the area with soap and brooms, collected surrounding garbage and ensured the location was clean enough before leaving.
'The biggest message of this gathering is to strongly criticize the hypocritical leadership of Madani against institutional reform and the promise to eradicate corruption.
'Recently, Anwar Ibrahim announced a challenge to the youth to fight corruption.
Today is proof that students with full idealism and courage have taken up the challenge to fight corruption in Sabah,' Muhamad Fadhil said.
Kota Kinabalu police confirmed an investigation is pending and will issue a statement on Monday.
Parti Warisan has denied involvement in the rally.
Meanwhile, independent youth group Mandiri has criticised the police for allegedly failing to facilitate the anti-corruption rally on June 21.
Mandiri coordinator Wong KuKui said the group was made to understand that police officers present during the peaceful assembly did not fulfil their responsibilities, despite having received prior notice of the event.
'This is not a minor oversight — it is a dereliction of duty that could endanger lives. In the event of injury or casualty, the police must bear full responsibility,' he said.
Wong also claimed that Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) had ordered the removal of banners, even though the rally was held in a public space.
'This reflects DBKK's ignorance or refusal to acknowledge legal developments, especially the moratorium on Section 11 of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 (APA 2012), which was announced by Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Parliament on February 13, 2025,' he said.
The moratorium suspends the requirement to obtain permission from venue owners to hold assemblies, which Wong described as a progressive move to safeguard the public's right to peaceful assembly.
'Unfortunately, enforcement agencies continue to defy this legal shift,' he added.
Wong further revealed that Mandiri had received reports of a student's vehicle being doused with a liquid suspected to be chemical near the rally site.
Mandiri is calling for an immediate investigation into the alleged provocations and sabotage targeting rally participants. The group also urged authorities to guarantee the safety and democratic rights of participants at future public gatherings.
Wong affirmed that Mandiri stands in full solidarity with all rally participants who spoke out against corruption, demanded accountability, and advocated for a fairer future.
